On Wednesday, June 20, the leaders of the Milwaukee East Side Neighborhood Associations (MENA) met with Captain Steve Basting and Acting Lieutenant Gregg Duran of the 1st district MPD. Alderman Nik Kovac also participated in the meeting to discuss plans for dealing with some of the issues affecting all our neighborhoods during the summer months.

Topics discussed included:Traffic and congestion along Lincoln Memorial Drive.Captain Basting highlighted the cooperation between the Sheriff's Department and MPD. In a nutshell, when congestion reaches critical mass, all southbound traffic will only be allowed to move south to the I-794. Northbound traffic exiting I-794 will only be allowed to turn west on Michigan Ave. If drivers wish to continue north, they can turn north on Cass St and proceed to Wisconsin Ave and continue north to Prospect Ave. Traffic that is already on Lincoln Memorial Drive will be sent north to Kenwood or Lake Drive.

Bar Scene along North Avenue. With the concentration of entertainment sites along the North Avenue Corridor from the river to the lakefront, the challenge becomes maintaining a peaceful co-existence between local bars, their patrons and neighborhood residents. Frustrated residents are becoming increasingly concerned that what was primarily a weekend phenomenon is becoming a every night event with noise, public drunkenness and the accompanying behavior. Kovac offered some insights into the process of working with city officials when problems occur with these entertainment corridors. Basting laid out the approach his officers will be using to address the more egregious behaviors of the bar crowds.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Based upon the meetings of the task force between city and UWM officials, incoming students new to UWM will undergo two days of orientation introducing them to the campus and surrounding neighborhood. MPD will be an integral part of this orientation. Basting outlined the plans for not only the contract initiative period but throughout the year. Please remember to use the Record it-Report It phone number when contacting MPD about problems with noise, House parties, etc. The number is 935-7211.

Basting also stated that the constant need to balance officers between the different areas in the district can cause problems with response time, etc, but both he and Lt. Duran promised that even with the constraints they have, MPD 1st district will do their utmost to address neighborhood concerns. MENA will continue to meet with MPD throughout this period to work to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.